The Career Path of Alan Camara

By Jo Hargreaves

From his roots in small-town Brazil to working as a successful character designer and 3D artist, Alan Camara has come a long way over the last seven years. In our latest article, we find out more about the path his career has taken, and what he thinks of the industry today.

Who are you and what do you do for a job?

My name is Alan Camara, and I'm a 3D artist and illustrator. I have been doing this for about seven years now, and have worked in some of the best studios in Brazil. Right now I am a freelancer for companies in Brazil and other countries.

What were your childhood inspirations and earliest artistic memory?

I've lived with art since I was a child. My father is an artist (sculptor and painter) and I observed his work as a sculptor in wood, and his drawings and the way he developed them. I did my earliest drawings using some pencils that my dad used to leave on the table.

What training have you had (if any)?

I grew up in a small town in Brazil where, in the absence of any special training, I had to learn from observation and by watching my dad at work. Even now, it's only recently that you've been able to specialize in 3D techniques in the larger cities in Brazil. I had to learn by reading books and tutorials (lots of tutorials from 3dtotal.com and other sites).

Are there any particular schools or courses that you'd recommend?

Today there are many schools and professional courses, some of which are online, which is particularly good for those who cannot be in a classroom. For my own experience, if online is the only way, I would recommend The Gnomon Workshop with its great teachers, your DVDs and Digital Tutors too. But essentially, if the artist can do a course of fine art, cinema, special effects or something like that in a college, I think it's the best way to go.

What was your first job in the industry and how did you get it?

I was lucky to start well, and to have the chance to work with great professionals. I was still submitting my works to some forums when I received an invitation from the director Luis Carone to do a few models and textures for some characters for a video clip of a Brazilian band called Sepultura. The video clip had incredible special effects with zombies and hellish creatures. The video received many prizes and this helped to improve my portfolio.